&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;204&quot; data-end=&quot;270&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are Carcinoid Tumors? (Let&amp;rsquo;s Break It Down Gently)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;272&quot; data-end=&quot;352&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Carcinoid tumors may sound complicated, but we can take this one step at a time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;354&quot; data-end=&quot;624&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;354&quot; data-end=&quot;374&quot;&gt;Carcinoid tumors&lt;/strong&gt; are a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;381&quot; data-end=&quot;404&quot;&gt;rare type of cancer&lt;/strong&gt; that usually grow &lt;strong data-start=&quot;423&quot; data-end=&quot;433&quot;&gt;slowly&lt;/strong&gt;. Many people have never heard of them until they or someone they love is diagnosed &amp;mdash; and that&amp;rsquo;s understandable. These tumors often develop quietly and may not cause symptoms for a long time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;626&quot; data-end=&quot;977&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Carcinoid tumors belong to a group called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;668&quot; data-end=&quot;693&quot;&gt;neuroendocrine tumors&lt;/strong&gt;. That means they start in special cells that act a bit like nerve cells and a bit like hormone-making cells. These cells help control things like digestion, breathing, and blood flow. When something goes wrong and these cells start growing out of control, a carcinoid tumor can form.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;979&quot; data-end=&quot;1069&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;These tumors can appear in different parts of the body, but they most commonly show up in:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1072&quot; data-end=&quot;1165&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1076&quot; data-end=&quot;1096&quot;&gt;digestive system&lt;/strong&gt; (such as the small intestine, stomach, appendix, colon, or rectum)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1168&quot; data-end=&quot;1181&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1172&quot; data-end=&quot;1181&quot;&gt;lungs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1183&quot; data-end=&quot;1488&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because they often grow slowly, carcinoid tumors can stay small and unnoticed for years. Many people don&amp;rsquo;t feel sick at first and may only discover a tumor during tests done for another reason. This quiet behavior is one reason carcinoid tumors can be tricky &amp;mdash; they don&amp;rsquo;t always announce themselves early.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1490&quot; data-end=&quot;1856&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Another unique feature of carcinoid tumors is that some of them can &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1558&quot; data-end=&quot;1604&quot;&gt;produce hormones or hormone-like chemicals&lt;/strong&gt;. When released into the bloodstream, these substances can affect how the body feels and functions. Not all carcinoid tumors do this, but when they do, they can cause a group of symptoms known as &lt;em data-start=&quot;1800&quot; data-end=&quot;1820&quot;&gt;carcinoid syndrome&lt;/em&gt; (which we&amp;rsquo;ll talk about in Part 2).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1858&quot; data-end=&quot;1913&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Carcinoid tumors don&amp;rsquo;t behave the same way in everyone:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1916&quot; data-end=&quot;1954&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some stay small and grow very slowly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1957&quot; data-end=&quot;2014&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Others grow larger over time or spread to nearby organs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2017&quot; data-end=&quot;2109&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms depend heavily on &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2044&quot; data-end=&quot;2074&quot;&gt;where the tumor is located&lt;/strong&gt; and whether it releases hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2111&quot; data-end=&quot;2352&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The encouraging news is that because these tumors often grow slowly, many people do well with proper medical care and monitoring. Advances in imaging, testing, and treatment mean carcinoid tumors are better understood today than ever before.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2354&quot; data-end=&quot;2593&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The most important thing to remember is this:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2402&quot; data-end=&quot;2468&quot;&gt;Rare doesn&amp;rsquo;t mean impossible, and quiet doesn&amp;rsquo;t mean harmless.&lt;/strong&gt; Knowing what carcinoid tumors are &amp;mdash; and how they can show up &amp;mdash; helps you know when to ask questions and seek medical advice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2354&quot; data-end=&quot;2593&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;1500&quot; data-end=&quot;1546&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signs, Causes &amp;amp; When to Get Checked&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1548&quot; data-end=&quot;1600&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Symptoms: What Your Body Might Be Telling You&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1602&quot; data-end=&quot;1761&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Carcinoid tumors don&amp;rsquo;t always shout &amp;mdash; sometimes they whisper. But if they do start making noise, what you feel often depends on &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1730&quot; data-end=&quot;1760&quot;&gt;where the tumor is located&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1763&quot; data-end=&quot;1800&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Here are some signs that may show up:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1802&quot; data-end=&quot;1846&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If the tumor is in your digestive tract:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1849&quot; data-end=&quot;1879&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Belly discomfort or cramping&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1882&quot; data-end=&quot;1892&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Diarrhea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1895&quot; data-end=&quot;1915&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Nausea or vomiting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1918&quot; data-end=&quot;1941&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Trouble passing stool&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1944&quot; data-end=&quot;2005&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rectal bleeding or pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2007&quot; data-end=&quot;2040&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If the tumor is in the lungs:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2043&quot; data-end=&quot;2050&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cough&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2053&quot; data-end=&quot;2065&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Chest pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2068&quot; data-end=&quot;2078&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Wheezing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2081&quot; data-end=&quot;2138&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Shortness of breath&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2140&quot; data-end=&quot;2192&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Special Set of Symptoms: Carcinoid Syndrome&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2194&quot; data-end=&quot;2393&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some carcinoid tumors behave like hormone factories and release chemicals into the bloodstream. If that happens, you might notice a group of symptoms called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2351&quot; data-end=&quot;2373&quot;&gt;carcinoid syndrome&lt;/strong&gt;, which can include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2397&quot; data-end=&quot;2454&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2397&quot; data-end=&quot;2416&quot;&gt;Facial flushing&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; skin turning warm and pink or red&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2457&quot; data-end=&quot;2479&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2457&quot; data-end=&quot;2477&quot;&gt;Chronic diarrhea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2482&quot; data-end=&quot;2517&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2482&quot; data-end=&quot;2515&quot;&gt;Wheezing or breathing trouble&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2520&quot; data-end=&quot;2592&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2520&quot; data-end=&quot;2554&quot;&gt;Fast heartbeat or palpitations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2594&quot; data-end=&quot;2728&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;These symptoms can sometimes be triggered by stress, exercise, or even certain foods and drinks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2730&quot; data-end=&quot;2901&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s important to note that carcinoid syndrome &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2777&quot; data-end=&quot;2837&quot;&gt;usually happens only after the tumor has grown or spread&lt;/strong&gt;, especially to the liver.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2730&quot; data-end=&quot;2901&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2908&quot; data-end=&quot;2943&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;What Causes Carcinoid Tumors?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2945&quot; data-end=&quot;3180&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The short answer:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Doctors don&amp;rsquo;t exactly know why carcinoid tumors start. Like many cancers, these tumors are the result of &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3070&quot; data-end=&quot;3093&quot;&gt;changes in cell DNA&lt;/strong&gt; that cause certain cells to grow out of control.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3182&quot; data-end=&quot;3256&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Some factors that can raise the chance of having carcinoid tumors include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3259&quot; data-end=&quot;3316&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3259&quot; data-end=&quot;3272&quot;&gt;Older age&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; they&amp;rsquo;re more common as people get older&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3319&quot; data-end=&quot;3378&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3319&quot; data-end=&quot;3335&quot;&gt;Being female&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; slightly higher risk compared to males&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3381&quot; data-end=&quot;3476&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3381&quot; data-end=&quot;3399&quot;&gt;Family history&lt;/strong&gt; of certain rare endocrine conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3478&quot; data-end=&quot;3660&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Even with known risk factors, though, many people with carcinoid tumors have no clear cause. That&amp;rsquo;s why watching for symptoms and talking to your clinician about any changes matters.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3478&quot; data-end=&quot;3660&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3667&quot; data-end=&quot;3702&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When Should You See a Doctor?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3704&quot; data-end=&quot;3757&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;You should consider scheduling a visit if you notice:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Unusual symptoms that &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3782&quot; data-end=&quot;3799&quot;&gt;don&amp;rsquo;t go away&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms that &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3818&quot; data-end=&quot;3853&quot;&gt;come and go without explanation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3858&quot; data-end=&quot;3899&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Any combination of the signs listed above&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3901&quot; data-end=&quot;4062&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because carcinoid tumors can be slow to show symptoms, &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3956&quot; data-end=&quot;4025&quot;&gt;early evaluation gives your care team the best chance to help you&lt;/strong&gt; and start the right steps if needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3901&quot; data-end=&quot;4062&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4069&quot; data-end=&quot;4088&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Final Thought&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4090&quot; data-end=&quot;4307&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Carcinoid tumors are rare and often quiet at first &amp;mdash; but your body&amp;rsquo;s signals matter. If something doesn&amp;rsquo;t feel normal or goes on longer than expected, check in with a clinician who can help figure out what&amp;rsquo;s going on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4090&quot; data-end=&quot;4307&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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